Sr. Reliability Engineer - SEM Systems

Company Overview KLA is a global leader in diversified electronics for the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem. Virtually every electronic device in the world is produced using our technologies. No laptop, smartphone, wearable device, voice-controlled gadget, flexible screen, VR device or smart car would have made it into your hands without us. KLA invents systems and solutions for the manufacturing of wafers and reticles, integrated circuits, packaging, printed circuit boards and flat panel displays. The innovative ideas and devices that are advancing humanity all begin with inspiration, research and development. KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers work together with the world’s leading technology providers to accelerate the delivery of tomorrow’s electronic devices. Life here is exciting and our teams thrive on tackling really hard problems. There is never a dull moment with us. Group/Division With over 40 years of semiconductor process control experience, chipmakers around the globe rely on KLA to ensure that their fabs ramp next-generation devices to volume production quickly and cost-effectively. Enabling the movement towards advanced chip design, KLA's Global Products Group (GPG), which is responsible for creating all of KLA’s metrology and inspection products, is looking for the best and the brightest research scientist, software engineers, application development engineers, and senior product technology process engineers. First to deliver the best imaging and classification data for every defect or point on any layer at any time. EBeam’s mission encapsulates its role as the “eyes” of KLA’s product line, providing timely information on defects and critical locations on the wafer at the highest spatial resolution possible. Customers use EBeam products alongside KLA patterned and bare wafer inspectors to quickly understand the nature of defects and other imperfections on product wafers and take action to correct the manufacturing process. Job Description/Preferred Qualifications Sr. Reliability Engineer – SEM Systems Join a team solving complex reliability challenges on advanced SEM systems used in semiconductor manufacturing. This is a hands-on engineering role where you'll identify failure mechanisms, investigate root causes, and drive real-world solutions that improve system performance and uptime. We're looking for someone who enjoys working closely with hardware, digging into the data, and taking ownership from problem identification through implementation, not just analyzing issues, but fixing them. Job Duties, but not limited to: Drive reliability and uptime of SEM systems used for wafer inspection and review, targeting industry-leading system availability. Evaluate system designs, manufacturing processes, and acceptance testing to identify potential failure modes before they reach customers. Develop and implement Design of Experiments (DOE) to validate component and system performance, reliability, and durability. Define and assess accelerated life testing, environmental testing, and stress testing, including thermal, vibration, vacuum, contamination, and high-voltage conditions. Establish reliability requirements and qualification plans for critical components, subsystems, and complete systems. Review design, manufacturing, and test data to ensure products consistently meet reliability and performance targets. Partner with suppliers to qualify components, validate manufacturing processes, and ensure compliance with technical requirements. Lead factory acceptance and qualification activities to verify products meet specifications before release. Investigate field and factory failures using statistical analysis, data science techniques, and advanced modeling tools. Drive corrective actions and continuous improvement efforts based on reliability data and root-cause findings. Influence engineering, manufacturing, and supplier teams to implement solutions that improve product robustness and long-term performance. Qualifications, but not limited to: Advanced degree in Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Reliability Engineering, or a related technical field. 10+ years of experience developing, supporting, or improving semiconductor capital equipment. Deep understanding of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) or other precision systems (eg. optical microscopy, lithography systems, etc..) Familiar with some or all the following: Electron optics Precision mechanical systems High-vacuum systems High-voltage systems Cleanroom and contamination control environments Wafer handling and positioning systems Motion control and automation Experience developing qualification plans and executing reliability testing for complex electromechanical systems. Strong background in failure analysis, root cause investigation, and reliability engineering methodologies. Experience working directly with suppliers on component qualification and manufacturing readiness. Ability to influence technical decisions across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supplier organizations. Knowledge of semiconductor industry standards, including SEMI standards and ISO quality systems is a plus. Willing to travel 15% international Minimum Qualifications Doctorate (Academic) Degree and related work experience of 5 years; Master's Level Degree and related work experience of 8 years; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 12 years Base Pay Range: $167,300.00 - $284,400.00 Annually Primary Location: USA-CA-Milpitas-KLA KLA’s total rewards package for employees may also include participation in performance incentive programs and eligibility for additional benefits including but not limited to: medical, dental, vision, life, and other voluntary benefits, 401(K) including company matching, employee stock pur